Blog
This blog is oriented to the private business owner community. We understand entrepreneurs and business owners are fundamentally risk takers. Its why they started it in the first place. We will highlight here concepts and ideas to help the business owner community best manage their growth with value as the underlying method of measurement. Value growth is much different than growth. You can scale up and have growth while not growing the intrinsic transferrable value of your enterprise. Growing value at an appropriate risk level is what this blog is all about.
The Agreement Most Business Partners Never Have - Until It's Too Late
A buy-sell agreement protects business owners from partner disputes, unexpected exits, and financial chaos. Learn how funded agreements, insurance, and proper planning keep ownership transitions smooth and businesses protected.
Read MoreThe Exit Wave Is Coming. Are You Ready?
When sellers flood the market, buyers gain leverage. Valuation alone won’t save you—preparation will. The most successful exits go to owners who plan early, reduce dependency, and align business value with life goals.
Read MoreThe Industry Is Finally Catching Up. But Are You?
The industry is shifting toward personal exit planning—but most owners still skip it. Without defining the life you want post-exit, business strategy is guesswork. Know your destination first, then build a business that funds it.
Read MoreWhy Your Business May Be Worth Less Than You Think
Two businesses can earn the same profit and have very different values. The difference is predictability. Learn how shifting even part of your revenue to contracts or retainers can increase your valuation, without adding new clients.
Read MoreExit Planning Isn't About Finding a Buyer
Exit planning isn’t just finding a buyer. Discover the 8 transition paths, avoid common mistakes, and align your business exit with personal goals. Learn how planning increases options, maximizes value, and ensures you exit on your terms.
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The 4 Events That Force Bad Exits — And How to Make Sure None of Them Happen to You
Most business owners don’t plan their exit. They react to something that forces it. Here’s what that looks like, and what to do instead
Read MoreYou Can Make Them Think Like an Owner, Without Making Them One
Learn how phantom stock helps retain key employees without giving up ownership. Align incentives, reduce key person risk, and increase business value with long-term compensation strategies.
Read MoreBuilding a Retirement Plan Better Than a 401(k)
Learn how business owners and key executives can create a tax-efficient, personalized retirement plan. Go beyond a 401(k) and use your business to fund the future you actually want.
Read MoreYour Freedom Point
Many business owners know the value of their company but haven’t connected it to the life they want to live. Discover what your Freedom Point is, why it matters, and how it can help guide smarter business and financial decisions.
Read MoreWhy Cross-Training is Essential for Privately Held Businesses
Cross-training and proper onboarding are critical for privately held businesses. Avoid operational risks, empower your team, and make your business more valuable and transferable by sharing knowledge beyond a single key person.
Read MoreExit Strategies Are Built — Not Declared
A successful exit doesn’t happen overnight. Many business owners wait too long to plan, losing leverage and opportunity. Discover why exit strategies must be built early, and how planning ahead gives you the freedom to shape your future.
Read MoreEvery Good Business Is in a Seller’s Market, But Most Owners Aren’t Prepared
Even in a strong seller’s market, most business owners aren’t prepared to maximize value. Learn why building the right transition and M&A advisory team before you sell is critical.
Read MoreSmart Tax Planning Strategies for Business Owners
Discover key 2025 tax strategies for business owners, including QBI deductions, Section 179, R&D credits, and executive compensation planning. Learn how proactive tax planning can strengthen your long-term financial position.
Read MoreWhy “Extreme” Isn’t a Bad Word in Business
“Extreme” in business means focused action. With clear goals, measurement, and commitment, you can drive real value growth and meaningful change.
Read MoreAre You Closer to a Business Exit Than You Think?
Many owners avoid exit planning until burnout, health scares, or buyout offers force the issue. This article uses a diagnostic to reveal how close you may be to transition, and why starting the conversation early protects value and control.
Read MoreWhy Acquisitions Won’t Save a Commoditized Business
When margins shrink and businesses become commoditized, acquisitions won’t save you. The real growth comes from disruptive models that simplify delivery, move you up the value chain, and refocus time on high-value client impact.
Read MorePlanning an Exit Without Regret
Planning your business exit isn’t just about timing or valuation. Discover the four key drivers—vision, financial flexibility, personal readiness, and team impact—that help business owners transition with clarity, confidence, and no regret.
Read MoreBuilding a Business That Thrives Beyond Any One Person
Strong businesses plan beyond people. Learn how leadership continuity, training, boards, and key employee retention strategies protect your company from disruption, strengthen operations, and increase long-term value.
Read MoreValue Is Vital: Rethinking What Really Matters in Business
Value, not just revenue, is what keeps a business alive. Learn why measuring enterprise value across every decision creates stronger, more vital companies, and how intentional value-building leads to long-term success.
Read MoreWhy Start With an SBA-Certified Valuation
Learn why starting with an SBA-certified business valuation can protect your deal, speed up financing, and prevent costly delays, even if SBA financing isn’t your first choice.
Read MoreStop Rushing Through Your Planning: A Better Way to Build a Meaningful Path Forward
Many business owners rush planning, aiming to save time, yet end up with misaligned strategies. Learn why slowing down, reflecting, and connecting plans to long-term goals creates clarity, better decisions, and a more valuable business.
Read MoreWhy “Value” Should Be the Language Every Business Owner Speaks
Learn why the most successful business owners treat value as a language, not just a number. Discover how value-based thinking transforms decisions, strengthens teams, and increases the transferable value of your business.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Intrinsic Value of Your Business: A Practical Overview
Understanding what makes a business truly valuable starts with knowing how sustainable and transferable its profits are. This post breaks down a practical approach to intrinsic valuation and key questions every owner should consider.
Read More"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap": The Real Work of Building Business Value
Discover why the real “dirty work” in business is building intrinsic value, and how a focused operational review can strengthen lasting growth.
Read MoreUsing a “Premortem” to Strengthen Your Business Succession Plan
Improve your succession plan with a premortem. An approach that uncovers risks early, strengthens leadership transitions, and protects the future value of your business.
Read MoreIs Your Business Antifragile?
Discover how the concept of antifragility can strengthen your business. Learn how high-trust teams, ego-free collaboration, and a culture that benefits from challenges can improve decision-making, build
Read MoreFounders & Early Investors: Don’t Miss This Powerful Tax Break
Discover how founders and early investors can potentially exclude up to 100% of capital gains when selling C-Corp stock under IRS Section 1202 (QSBS). Learn who qualifies, key timing considerations, and how proper planning can save millions
Read MoreSelling your business, reduce taxes, for the right firm
Section 1202, also known as the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exclusion, allows eligible shareholders to exclude up to 100% of capital gains from federal taxation when selling qualifying stock.
Read MoreManufacture Value in your business - hint its not just revenue growth
I would say the typical business owner / entrepreneur we meet is focused on revenue growth as a top goal. Growing the top line is fundamental to growing a business of course. I would like you to consider taking a step back for a moment...
Read MoreDirect private buyers of your business, can be at a deep discount
Be careful of deep discount offers for the sale of your business.
Read MoreIs your business plan cash flow extraction or Value Build?
Value to some extent is in the eye of the beholder. A business can be valuable for a person or small team due to how it generates new business services existing customers and client relationships and at the same time NOT be valuable to...
Read More10 Questions, score if its time to start your business transition
Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to see if it is time to begin transition planning. YES NO 1. It’s time to do something different with my life. 2. My burning desire to compete is failing. I may be burned out. 3. My...
Read MoreSmall business heads up - Use Private equity data
If you talk to or spend any time with the P/E and investment firms scouring the planet for potential acquisitions you quickly realize they all need the same basic thing. They need to efficiently seek out viable candidates to put into...
Read MoreGreed may be good, but Value is Vital
f you are old enough you probably remember the character Gordon Gecko in the movie as a ruthless character, who's only passion is making money. His famous quote is " greed, for lack of a better term, is good". I would like to change...
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